May 31, 2011

Steel Cut Goodness


Sometimes it’s the little things in life that make me happy: baby laughs, puppies, lattes, cute shoes, chocolate. Oh and really, really good oatmeal. Allow me to introduce the best thing to hit your breakfast table…..steel cut oats. You may have heard of this variety of oatmeal, but few have tried it. If you haven’t, it’s amazing and you need to. Steel cut oatmeal has a craveable, nutty flavor and unique chewy texture sure to please you and your family. It’s also low in calories and packed with healthy things like fiber, protein and iron. 


Ingredients:
  • 1 cup steel cut oats
  • 4 cups water
To cook, bring 1 cup of steel cut oats and 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. I like to substitute 1 cup of water for 1 cup of juice to enhance the sweet flavor. Try apricot nectar. You’ll thank me later. Next, bring to a boil and then reduce the temperature to a simmer. Continue to simmer on low for about 30 minutes until the oats are cooked through and the texture is creamy. One cooked 1/2 cup serving contains about 150 calories and 5 grams of protein. Serve with fresh fruit and cinnamon on top. Go ahead, start your day right and enjoy the little things.




For more information about the health benefits of steel cut oatmeal, check out my recent article here


May 30, 2011

Have a cup

I love hot drinks. Even in the summer....I'm weird like that. Coffee is my favorite, but when I want something a little lighter with amazing health benefits, I choose green tea. Not only is it loaded with antioxidants, it also has a chemical called EGCG that may help prevent chronic disease. Really? From tea? Yes! So awesome, right?


Any green tea will do, but I buy the one from Trader Joes. Brew tea in 8oz of boiling water for about 2 to 3 minutes. Brewing longer can cause it to taste bitter. Drink by itself or sweeten with a little honey. So sit back, relax and drink up the healthy goodness. Enjoy!

May 26, 2011

Portion Control

It's no secret that portion sizes are out of control in America. Seriously, most restaurants serve 2-3 times what you should be eating. A good rule of thumb is to eat half your entree and save the rest for lunch the next day. Saves money and keeps your weight under control! Here is a link to a recent article I posted on livestrong.com to help shed some light on proper portion sizes and weight loss.

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Welcome to the Nutrition Designs blog where you'll find delicious recipes and tips for healthy eating and healthy living for you and your family.